Bridgeton pioneer., 1887-03-24
A NNUAL MEETING.
The Oyster Captains at Port
Norris.
Capt. Jas. Fox Elected Special
Officer, and BENZ. Campbell,
Collector.

Monday was an active day at Port
Norris, it being the occasion of the
annual meeting of the captains of the
licensed vessels, who do business under
the laws enacted for the government
of the Delaware Bay and Maurice
River Cove Oyster Association. The
oystermen gathered in force at Daniel
Ferguson's store room early in the
morning, and organized by the election
of Capt. Lorenzo D. Paynter, Of Cedar
vile, as Chairman, and Capt. BENZ. f.
Roray, of the same place, as Secretary.
Previous to the balloting for officers
of the Association, the captains lis
tened to the reading of the annual
report of the affairs of the Association
as passed upon by the Auditing Com
mittee.
The Collectors report showed the
number of licensed oyster vessels to be
451. Receipts during the year, SO, 7640
Balance in hands of Collector after
paying all expenses, $911.12.
A discussion of the general condition
of the trade was then INDUCED in.
Among other matters talked of was
the status of certain bills affecting the
oyster business, which have been
pending in the Legislature, when a
motion was made, and carried unani-
mously, that the thanks of the oyster
men of Delaware Bay and Maurice
River Cove be rendered to ex-senator
Nichols for his faithful attention to
their interests during his term of ser
vice in the Legislature, and his efforts
in their behalf since his retirement
from office.
According to law the polls were
opened at 10 a. H., with Capt. Samuel
Dillehey, of Port Norris, as Judge, and
Captains Peter Campbell and George
Marshal as Inspectors of election.
There are over four hundred oyster
captains entitled to vote at the annual
meeting, but many were absent, owing
to the fine weather which gave them a
good chance to work. The number of
votes polled was 121. The polls were
closed at three o'clock, and the result
read at once. Special officer James B.
Fox was reelected by unanimous
vote. There was contest for the
Collectorship of the Oyster Fund, Ben
jamin Campbell and Warrington Hand.
both of Port Norris, being contestants.
The result was 81 for Campbell, 80 for
Hand. Capt. VIM. H. Berry, of Port
Norris; Capt. Geo. Laws, of Dividing
Creek; Capt. Benz. Ogden, of Cedar
vile; Capt. Thomas A. Cruise, of New
port, and Capt John w. Harris, of
Leesburg, were elected members of
the Auditing Committee for the year.
They all receive a unanimous vote
save Capt. Cruise whose place was
contested by Capt. Daniel Bradford,
of Newport. Capt. Cruise received 81
votes out of the lei cast.
Immediately after their election the
Auditing Committee met, and organi-
zed by selecting Capt. Wm H. Berry,
Chairman, and Capt Thomas A.
Cruise, Secretary. The salary of
Special officer Fox was fixed at $4,000
for the first six months, and that of
Collector $4,000 for the year. On
motion of Capt. Benz. Ogden, vote
of thanks was rendered Capt. E. d.
Fleetwood, the retiring Secretary, for
his faithful services to the Committee.
The Annual report of the Association
was ordered printed in the PIONEER.
On motion the Special Officer was in
structed to place beacon on Egg Is
land Point. Adjourned.